Logo
Flat Rock quarterback-turned-receiver Aaron Salazar hauls in a pass during a season that’s seem him gain nearly 1,000 yards through the air.

Rough Stretch, Lessons Learned Pay Off with Flat Rock's 1st Playoff Win Since 1976

By Doug Donnelly
Special for MHSAA.com

November 8, 2022

FLAT ROCK – On July 31, Flat Rock football players Corey Lannon and Graham Junge were on the football field when they noticed a soccer player kicking the ball.

Southeast & BorderLannon grabbed his phone and texted Flat Rock head coach Buck Reaume about what he saw. 

“He said, ‘We need to get this guy on the team,’” Reaume said.  

On Friday night, with a Division 5 District championship on the line, Flat Rock’s Mitchell Smith booted a game-winning 23-yard field goal to give the Rams a 29-28 victory over Romulus Summit Academy North. It was not only Smith’s first field goal attempt in a game, but it was also the first field goal attempt in Reaume’s five years as Rams head coach. 

“I never hesitated,” Reaume said of the decision to kick the field goal when Flat Rock trailed Summit 28-26 with 7.3 seconds left in the game. “It was the right call. Graham came over to the sidelines and said, ‘Let’s kick it.’ I had all the confidence in Mitchell.” 

Confidence has been earned as Flat Rock is going through a fairy-tale season. Before this year, the Rams had never hosted a playoff game and hadn’t won a playoff game since the 1976 team won the Class C championship. At that time, the MHSAA Playoffs were just two rounds. 

The 46-year postseason win drought ended in the first round of the playoffs with a 27-22 victory over Dundee. The District title gave the Rams eight wins, their most in a season since the 1976 team went 11-0.  

“It’s almost like a magical season the way things have gone,” Reaume said. “In our last four games, we’ve won by a total of eight points. Three out of the four we won by one point. The last couple of games have been really high suspense, but we’ve come out on top. We’ve been on the other side of those kinds of games, too.” 

Flat Rock was 3-3 after a 20-14 loss to Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central as they maneuvered through a rugged Huron League schedule. In two of those three losses, the game came down to the final play. 

“We grew up and learned from those things,” Reaume said.  

In Week 7, the Rams shut out Grosse Ile 28-0. Since then, the Rams have a 29-28 win over New Boston Huron, a 57-56 win over Livonia Clarenceville, and the victories over Dundee and Summit Academy. 

Flat Rock coach Buck Reaume and his family celebrate the District title win. This week, the Rams welcome Detroit Country Day for another home playoff game. 

“The crowds have been amazing,” Reaume said. “We have a first-year assistant coach, and I told him that things aren’t always like this. It’s been crazy.” 

Flat Rock’s success has been a long time coming.  

Reaume is a former quarterback at Riverview Gabriel Richard. He coached at Southgate Anderson for 10 years before getting hired as a teacher at Flat Rock in 2013. He was an assistant coach one year before being named head coach. It came on the heels of back-to-back 0-9 seasons for Flat Rock. 

“My thought process was things could only go up,” he said. 

By his third year, Flat Rock reached the playoffs for the first time in nearly 30 years. 

“That was a big deal,” he said. 

After a 4-5 finish in 2019, COVID-19 shortened the Rams’ 2020 season to seven games. Flat Rock didn’t win any that fall, but the foundation for this year’s eight-win season was laid when Reaume and the coaching staff elevated several sophomores to the varsity. 

"Our seniors are a great group of kids," Reaume said. "We had a lot of them up during that COVID-19 year, the shortened season. That group took our lumps. We got pounded that year.  

“The idea was it was going to pay off down the road, and it has. There’s no quit in these guys. That benefited us.” 

One of those seniors is Drew Given. Given, a wrestler in the winter, has been a running back for most of his time in the Flat Rock football system. When the season started, Reaume realized his team was going to be short on offensive linemen. He went to Given. 

“I thought we would be good this year because of all of our skill guys,” Reaume said. “The line was a bit of a question though. We went to Drew before the season and asked if he was interested in moving to the line. Given never hesitated and is now a starting guard. 

“His response was, ‘I’ll do anything you want. I just want to win,’” Reaume said. “He’s a good wrestler. He’s small. He is 5-(foot-)6, 170, but he’s tough. He’s a bulldog. That’s the epitome of this team. They don’t care what they need to do to help us win. It’s not always easy to find kids to do that.” 

Reaume said his football players grew tired of settling for close losses and coming close. Flat Rock began last season 2-1 but finished 2-7, with late losses by two and eight points.

Rams quarterback Graham Junge has set his area’s record for passing yards. “For the past few years, there was a lot of moral victories,” Reaume said. “It would be like, ‘Hey, you won the second half,’ or ‘You played them tough.’ I told them this year that was no longer enough. Our seniors had heard that all of their sophomore and junior years. I think they were sick of that. There are no more moral victories. I think they bought into that.” 

One of the big reasons for Flat Rock’s success has been the play of Junge, a sophomore. He was thrust into the Rams starting quarterback spot as a freshman last year when starting QB Aaron Salazar went out with a knee injury. Junge was impressive right away. 

“He did everything we asked,” Reaume said. “He kept his poise and showed a lot of maturity. You could tell he had talent.” 

Junge is a student of the game. He watches a lot of film and studies opponents before every game. 

“It’s impressive,” Reaume said. “He has a lot of input. He’ll text me on Saturday or Sunday, saying, ‘Hey I like these plays.’ We’ll meet on Mondays and go over the plays we like, and he has a ton of input. 

“He has a lot of leeway on the field. We’ll call the play, and he will make some adjustments. He’ll signal something to the guys. He makes a lot of good decisions.” 

Junge has passed for a Monroe County Region record 2,528 yards and 28 touchdowns.

“I like watching film,” Junge said. “The cool thing about football is by watching film you can outsmart the defense.” 

Salazar is another player who selflessly moved to a new position to help the team. The former starting quarterback is now Junge’s favorite target at wide receiver. Salazar has 72 receptions for 931 yards and nine touchdowns.  

“He’s been incredible, coming off knee surgery and playing a position he hadn’t played in a couple of years,” Reaume said. “He’s been phenomenal at it.” 

Lannon is second on the team in receptions (54) and yards (694). 

“Nobody cares about numbers,” Reaume continued. “It’s a very selfless team. They only want to win.” 

Doug Donnelly has served as a sports and news reporter and city editor over 25 years, writing for the Daily Chief-Union in Upper Sandusky, Ohio from 1992-1995, the Monroe Evening News from 1995-2012 and the Adrian Daily Telegram since 2013. He's also written a book on high school basketball in Monroe County and compiles record books for various schools in southeast Michigan. E-mail him at [email protected] with story ideas for Jackson, Washtenaw, Hillsdale, Lenawee and Monroe counties.

PHOTOS (Top) Flat Rock quarterback-turned-receiver Aaron Salazar hauls in a pass during a season that’s seem him gain nearly 1,000 yards through the air. (Middle) Flat Rock coach Buck Reaume and his family celebrate the District title win. (Below) Rams quarterback Graham Junge has set his area’s record for passing yards. (Action photos by Dana Stiefel. Reaume family photo courtesy of Buck Reaume.)

Haslett defenders bring down a Goodrich ball carrier stretching for extra yardage Friday.

1st & Goal: 2023 Playoff Week 3 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 13, 2023

Seven of last season’s MHSAA Football Finals champions remain in the playoff mix as we move into the final two weeks of the 2023 season, and no doubt at least a few of the annual contenders have become accustomed to playing this late into the fall.

MI Student AidBut plenty more also are sharing in the thrill of playing mid-November football for the first time.

This weekend’s 8-Player Semifinals sent Indian River Inland Lakes into its first championship game in this sport, and Marion to its first since 1990. The 11-player brackets saw five first-time champions Regional champions – and two more that won Regional titles for the first time since well before any of their current players were born.

See below for a glance at all 72 games as the ride continued through the playoffs' third week, and click here for the full playoff schedule (including linked schedules for all 288 teams in the field this season).

8-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Indian River Inland Lakes 12, Pickford 0 Inland Lakes (11-1) earned its first trip to a football championship game with yet another impressive win – the Bulldogs’ last four opponents finished a combined 33-9. The shutout came against an offense that averaged 46.5 points per game entering the weekend. Pickford finished 10-2, its best since its 2019 championship season. Click for more from the Cheboygan Daily Tribune.

HEADLINER Martin 42, Kingston 34 The reigning Division 1 champion will play for a repeat as Martin outlasted Kingston in its closest matchup since back-to-back losses in Weeks 3 and 4. The Clippers (10-2) hadn’t had a single-digit game since, but stayed a step ahead by reaching 40 points for the third time over the last four weeks. Kingston (9-3) is a combined 18-4 over the last two seasons. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.

8-Player Division 2

HEADLINER Marion 42, Lake Linden-Hubbell 36 Playing in a fourth-straight Semifinal, Marion (11-0) earned its first championship game trip since 1990, coming back from a 14-8 halftime deficit as both offenses found their footing over the final two quarters. Marion’s final touchdown – which ended up the deciding score – was run in by an offensive lineman who stepped back into his former position. Lake Linden-Hubbell (8-4) finished its winningest season since 2016. Click for more from Cadillac News.

HEADLINER Adrian Lenawee Christian 42, Deckerville 14 Another dominating Lenawee Christian run continued, as the Cougars (12-0) pulled within one more win of a third undefeated season over the last four. They have not scored fewer than 41 points in a game this fall, and were able to slow a Deckerville offense that entered the weekend averaging 48.5 ppg. The Eagles (9-3) capped their winningest season since 2019. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.

11-Player Division 1

HEADLINER Davison 28, Rockford 14 The Cardinals won this Regional Final matchup of undefeated teams, doing so in part thanks to arguably its most impressive defensive performance of the fall. Davison (12-0) held Rockford scoreless until midway through the third quarter, limiting an attack that averaged nearly 43 points per game entering the weekend. The Cardinals also found their way offensively against a Rams defense that had given up only 10 points per game during its 11-0 start. Click for more from the Flint Journal.

Regional Roundup Belleville 49, Northville 7 Belleville (12-0) won a sixth-straight Regional title by adding to a 42-0 Week 9 win over Northville (10-2) in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association championship game. Those were the Mustangs’ only losses this fall. West Bloomfield 21, Clarkston 20 The Lakers (10-2) may be talking about this one for years to come, as they trailed Clarkston 20-0 before coming back to not only claim a Regional title but avenge their Week 6 loss to the Wolves (6-6). Southfield Arts & Technology 31, Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 21 A&T (11-1) clinched its first Regional title since the school opened in 2016 after a merger of the former Southfield High and Southfield-Lathrup, and this was the school community’s first Regional championship including those predecessor programs since 2014. Chippewa Valley (9-3) capped its winningest season since 2019 with its three defeats by a combined 14 points.

11-Player Division 2

HEADLINER Waterford Mott 40 Gibraltar Carlson 19 A special season for Mott just became historic, as the Corsairs (10-2) – after winning their second District title in program history last week – claimed their first Regional championship and also set a program record for wins. Kalieb Osborne threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more for Mott. Carlson finished 10-2 and sets its program record for wins as well this fall. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

Regional Roundup Muskegon 42, Saginaw Heritage 14 Muskegon (10-2) earned its seventh Regional championship over the last eight seasons. Heritage (9-3) finished its winningest season since 2006, with Braylon Isom adding two more receiving touchdowns to his MHSAA career record that ended at 52. East Lansing 42, Byron Center 20 East Lansing (10-2) is on its way to the Semifinals for the first time since 2007 after breaking away during the fourth quarter against the Bulldogs (10-2), who completed their longest run since 2016. Warren De La Salle Collegiate 34, Roseville 14 The reigning Division 2 champion Pilots (10-2) won their sixth Regional title over the last seven seasons, ending the fall for Roseville (8-4) for the fourth-straight season.

11-Player Division 3

HEADLINER Mason 44, Walled Lake Western 41 (OT) This matchup was up for grabs until the very end before Mason secured a third-straight Regional title. Western (10-2) nearly avenged Mason’s 30-7 win over the Warriors in Week 8; the Bulldogs (12-0) led at halftime, then trailed by double digits much of the third quarter, and then Western sent the game to overtime before Mason’s Kaleb Parrish scored the game winner on a pass from Cason Carswell. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Regional Roundup Detroit Martin Luther King 20, River Rouge 19 (OT) The two-time reigning champion Crusaders (7-5) pulled a win closer to possibly playing for a third-straight title, holding on into overtime as well to end Rouge’s six-game winning streak and season at 7-5. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 33, Gaylord 7 Last season’s Division 2 runner-up Forest Hills Central (11-1) also is one win away from a potential return to Ford Field after handing Gaylord (11-1) its only loss. The Blue Devils capped their best season since 2002. Zeeland West 42, Parma Western 7 West is headed back to the Semifinals for the first time since 2015, giving the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green two of the final 32 teams (with Muskegon). Western finished 10-2, having tied its program record for wins with its third District title victory over the last six years.

11-Player Division 4

HEADLINER Portland 21, Niles 14 Portland (12-0) broke free from a 7-7 game heading into the fourth quarter to win its second Regional title in three seasons. Both defenses shined, holding their opponents to season lows. Niles’ only other defeat was by a point in Week 2 as the Vikings (10-2) capped their best run with a program record for wins and first District title. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Regional Roundup Goodrich 24, Haslett 17 The 2022 Division 4 runner-up Martians (11-1) pulled within one more win of playing for the title again, twice holding off Haslett comeback attempts after building double-digit leads. The Vikings (8-4) capped their longest run since 2005. Grand Rapids South Christian 55, Big Rapids 35 The reigning champion Sailors (9-3) scored their most points since opening weekend to distance themselves from a Big Rapids team that finished its winningest season since 2003 at 10-2. Harper Woods 46, Carleton Airport 19 Harper Woods (9-3) claimed its first Regional title as it continued its best season since 2007. Airport’s only losses this fall in finishing 10-2 were to teams playing in Semifinals. (See Week 3 opponent Flat Rock below.)

11-Player Division 5

HEADLINER Grand Rapids Catholic Central 30, Grand Rapids West Catholic 28 The was the closest matchup between these longtime rivals since 2017, as West Catholic took a 28-24 lead with 3:49 to play but GRCC’s Connor Wolf then ran in for the winning score to go with his two touchdown passes. The Regional title was the eighth straight for the Cougars (11-1). The Falcons finished 11-1 coming off their Division 6 title in 2022. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Regional Roundup Flat Rock 56, Detroit Southeastern 26 Flat Rock (9-3) is another first-time Regional champion, earning its first trip to the Semifinals since 1976 (when the MHSAA Playoffs were only two rounds). Southeastern finished 8-4, its winningest record since also going 8-4 in 2018. Corunna 56, Macomb Lutheran North 18 Corunna (12-0) topped 300 yards rushing and 400 yards of total offense in winning its first Regional championship since 1996. Lutheran North capped arguably the best bounce-back season in the state this season, going from 3-6 a year ago to a 9-3 with a first District championship and school record for wins. Frankenmuth 35, Kingsford 13 Frankenmuth won its fourth-consecutive Regional title, scoring the most points Kingsford (10-2) allowed this season and holding the Flivvers to 176 total yards and -6 rushing. Kingsford capped its winningest season since 2004.

11-Player Division 6

HEADLINER Ovid-Elsie 38, Constantine 25 From the division that seemed heading into the weekend like perhaps the most wide-open, Ovid-Elsie (8-4) may have earned the biggest stunner of the Regional Finals. The Marauders were just 3-4 with two regular-season games to go but have won their first Regional title since 2008 and by handing Constantine (10-2) it first loss since Week 2. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Regional Roundup Kingsley 51, Gladstone 27 Kingsley (10-2) is headed back to the Semifinals for the first time since 2019 as the offense raised its scoring average to nearly 49 points per game by going over 50 for the fourth time over the last five weeks. Gladstone finished 9-3 for the second-straight season. Reed City 28, Midland Bullock Creek 14 The Coyotes (9-3) have won eight straight games to reach the Semifinals for the second-straight season, this time ending Bullock Creek’s longest playoff run since 2005. The Lancers finished 8-4 coming off two straight 4-5 seasons. Almont 49, Detroit Edison 24 Almont (11-1) also is back in the Semifinals for the first time since 2019 after ending Edison’s longest playoff run and winningest season at 8-4 with a first District title.

11-Player Division 7

HEADLINER North Muskegon 28, Pewamo-Westphalia 27 North Muskegon led through the first half, then trailed until late, but scored last to secure its first Regional title since 1986. These two also had met in a season opener, the Norsemen (12-0) winning that one 17-14, and this time QB James Young scrambled back-and-forth nearly the width of the field to find Landon Christensen on the game winner with 1:21 to play. P-W finished 10-2, both losses to North Muskegon by that margin of four total points. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.

Regional Roundup Jackson Lumen Christi 21, Clinton 14 The reigning Division 7 champion will play in its seventh Semifinal in eight seasons after advancing from one of its only close matchups this fall. Clinton (10-2) led 8-7 at halftime before Lumen (11-1) moved ahead halfway through the third quarter and held off a late comeback attempt. Menominee 40, McBain 0 Menominee (10-2) won its first Regional championship since 2016 and is the final Upper Peninsula team playing this fall after posting its fifth shutout this season and fourth-straight game giving up 14 or fewer points. McBain ended its longest run since 2015 at 7-5. Millington 35, Montrose 15 Millington claimed its first Regional title since 2016 and set a school record for wins as Dallas Walsh raced to four touchdown runs. Montrose’s 8-4 record ran its streak of winning seasons to 14.

11-Player Division 8

HEADLINER Ubly 41, Ithaca 20 Ubly’s profile already was pretty high entering this season with two Division 8 championship game appearances over the last three seasons, and it no doubt grew with this win over the Yellowjackets (11-1) – who were also undefeated and considered a title contender. The Regional title was the fifth straight for the Bearcats (12-0). Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.

Regional Roundup Beal City 20, Iron Mountain 6 Beal City (11-1) still has given up only 95 points this season, and it slowed down an Iron Mountain offense that scored 50 per game during its 11-0 start. Ottawa Lake Whiteford 54, White Pigeon 6 Another meeting of undefeated contenders saw the reigning Division 8 champion Bobcats (12-0) score nearly half the 109 points that White Pigeon (11-1) allowed this season. Riverview Gabriel Richard 31, Clarkston Everest Collegiate 28 Gabriel Richard (8-4) also was 3-4 with two regular-season games to play and joined the first-time Regional champions, handing Everest (9-3) its first loss since Week 3.

MHSAA.com's weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and X (Twitter) @mistudentaid.

PHOTO Haslett defenders bring down a Goodrich ball carrier stretching for extra yardage Friday. (Photo by Terry Lyons.)